As far as my expert analysis... the difference in this series is Kopitar. There is literally no one on the Devils who can match up with him. The Kings have D-Men and Centers who can at least stand up to Ilya and Zach. I just can't name a single Devil who can stand up to Kopitar.

So this is probably just for Devil and me, but it's still awesome (and shows how much more Canada tries for their TV broadcasts). The intro for Game 1 on CBC: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_gLo8VlF3E&feature=youtu.be

That was an awesome video.

Actually trying to manufacture some bad blood for the Kings. If they were playing any other team, I'd be pulling for them.

Kopitar is awesome, don't get me wrong, but is he any better than Giroux/Gaborik/Richards?

The things that made me feel really good about that game where that the Devils completely sucked for most of the game, but as it went on, they got better and better and actually owned the OT with chances to win it.

Game reminds me a lot of game 1 against the Flyers. Devils played like crap and were angry at the way they played. Parise said essentially the same things. Now a lot of that has to do with the Kings being good, so who knows if they can come back, but they seem to think they could play a whole lot better and that showed towards the end of the game.

Two things Kopitar has over those players (who are all better offensively, granted):1) Dude is HUGE and strong. The Devils D and Centers all look to be a bit undersized. At some point this season Kopitar realized he could basically bowl over most of his competition. None of those other guys have that ability.2) He's a far better two way player than any of those guys, so he'll get time on the PK and in d-zone starts whereas the other guys would get less. Basically he's on the ice more often to cause more havoc.

I think Game 2 will be hugely telling (STATEMENT OF OBVIOUS COMING). In all of the previous series, the Kings win Game 1 by a small margin by not playing their best 60 mins of hockey. In all of the Game 2s, the Kings came out and absolutely smashed the other team setting the tone for Game 3. Versus Canucks, 4-2 win. Versus Blues, 4-0 after the first period. Versus Phoenix, 4-0 total domination.

If the Kings bring that level of game and the Devils can't match, this series is over in five. If the Devils manage to do what they did against Philly and fight back, we're going six or seven.

Oh and honestly, if the Kings dominate like they have... you will hate them by the end of the series. Brown, Richards, and the entirety of the Kings bottom six + defense will have you cursing their names, just like Canucks, Blues, and Phoenix fans before you. Though to be fair Canucks fans have hated the Kings before that anyway.

That video needs to finish with "BECAUSE IT'S THE MOTHER F*CKING CUP!!!"

One thing you left off your description of Kopitar: dude has patience with the puck. Most skaters will try to beat the goalie with a quick shot or deke themselves right out of a good shot, but he's got the patience (and skill) to make them fully commit while confidently skating right up to their doorstep.

What was the mix of Kings fans at the game last night? There was a pretty big roar heard through the TV after Kopitar scored.

I want to give a special shout out to the Slingbox/iPad combo that allowed me to watch the game last night while I was at the Dodger game, and the understanding clients that took me.

Well what *I* would say is that of all the teams or lack of teams in LA, Hockey fans here are the best...we have people that have had season tickets when we were so bad you could practically get in for free at the Forum years a go. We are not fair-weather fans, we are true fans thru thick and thin. Other than maybe SC or UCLA fans, Kings fans in LA are probably some of the best fans anywhere.

You guys know I've lived in Boston all my life and have only set foot in Jersey 4 times (just to see games), right?

Devils could play on Jupiter, I don't care. Has no impact. They have ZERO fan base, are in a shitty location, and not just Newark but less than 10 miles from an original 6 team. None of that has anything to do with me. I'll follow them to Quebec/Vegas/Hamilton/Anywhere. I've said it before: This isn't the 40's where I only can pick up out-of-town box scores in the papers 2 days later. I can go to 2 or 3 Devils games a year and watch the rest on TV (including pre and post game) like most people do with the teams they live closest to.

The knock on LA has always been that they really don't care all that much about their sports. Sure the Lakers are wonderful and all if you can stomach basketball, but outside of that you guys have a bad reputation 'in general'. Sure it's probably due to the wealth of other things to do. The nice weather, some down times for the local teams etc, but it is your reputation. I'm not making personal attacks, you guys know your shit and are die hards. No problems there. I'm actually an LA (of Anaheim) fan for baseball.

It's like Petesy-Pie trying to defend the reputation of Philly fans. I'm sure there are good ones, like him, but if I asked 100 sports fans who the most angry, hate filled city in sports was, 96 would say Philly (the four others would sprinkle in New York, Boston and San Diego )

Don't get me started on the fans here either. That's a big reason why I don't like most of the local teams.

Because that assumption of the kings fan base is extremely incorrect and based in ignorance. Period. End of story. Kings and USC run this town when it comes to devotes fanbases.

Thanks! This pissy, defensive attitude that says a lot. All full of anger.

I think we can all agree: LA = Hockeytown

Gotcha!

Hockey Markets:

1) LA2) Toronto3) Montreal4) Detroit...

I've been listening to the NHL Radio for about 6 hours a day since the season started and right up until the second round started, there might have been 4 people who called claimed to be Kings fans. With that rabid fan base I can see why you're upset about it.

Typical LA fans. Showing up late for the season and only when the local team is winning.

Edit to add: TMZ on in the other room and I hear "The LA Kings might win the Stanley Cup and everyone is all excited...in Canada"..."So good luck, Kings! Hope you win that Cup that no one in LA cares about"

I'm not angry. I just find your statement stupid, so I'm calling you out on it. It's sort of what I do. I also know I can't change your mind, but I enjoy belittling you in public. Not specifically you as in 'devil', but you as in 'anyone who does dumb shit like this'.

I've been there. You haven't. You are arguing based on assumption and a limited scope of knowledge. You've never been there. You probably can't name the Kings roster. You really have no idea what the Kings fanbase is like.

I lived in LA for 20 years. I know all of their fanbases. I've lived in San Francisco for seven. I'm a huge SF 49ers and Giants fan, and I can tell you the Kings fanbase rivals theirs. I've traveled extensively throughout this country and this world. I've watched games at opposing stadiums, in opposing sports bars, and even games where I had zero rooting interest. I'm speaking from a base of knowledge and enlightenment. You are speaking from 'I listen to NHL Network' (which by the way, is terrible).

What about the Lakers? They have like a bigger fanbase than the Yankees.

I think the size of the fanbase does not necessarily equal the harcoreness of their fans. There are a TON of Laker fans, but most of them can't name anyone on the team other than Kobe or really even understand basketball that much. So while there are a ton of people who call themselves Laker fans, buy Laker gear, and go to Laker games, they aren't what I'd consider to be the same as the LA Kings fanbase. Everyone has their right to be the type of fan they are willing to be, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.

If you'd look at the attendance figures gellar linked to at ESPN, you'll discover that the reason Kings fans aren't watching the game on TV is because we're at the Staples Center watching them live, as opposed to Devils fans and their measly 87.4 attendance rate.

The Devils have a HORRIBLE fan base and should probably move. That's not in question. I don't have the silly desire to try and prove anything like that. I'm actually not ignorant.

Gellsy trying to convince the world that LA is a hockey town is the what's up for debate (Not really: It isn't).

Outside the 20k that pack the Staples Center nobody cares enough to flip on the TV and take a look.

Sure NHL Radio might suck, but once a month maybe a Kings fan should give them a call, or are they so sophisticated about their sport that they leave the calling to those know-nothings in Toronto and Montreal?

The 2 of you need to both stop arguing and bickering. I don't think either NJ or LA are soft fanbases. I think when Gretzky and Co. took the Kings to the cup the franchise turned a page and I think the Devils have enough cups to get a decent number of fans to rally around that banner. You Want soft fanbases? Just head down to the land of the everglades or that suburb in the desert where you can watch your piss evaporate before it hits the ground. Of course then there's Dallas and its millions of sport fans who think puck is a profane word spoken by some who can't pronounce it properly.